Following a calf-strain, Indian tennis star Sania Mirza was forced to retire from her first-round Women's doubles match at the Australian Open 2020. With this, the 33-year-old is out of the Aus Open 2020. Sania teamed up with Ukrainian partner Nadiia Kichenok, and the duo was up against Chinese pair of Han Xinyun and Zhu Lin. When the Indian tennis player decided to retire from the match, the duo was trailing by 2-6, 0-1.

Interestingly, ahead of the Australian Open 2020, Sania pulled out of the mixed doubles event in the tournament to protect her calf. She was supposed to partner compatriot Rohan Bopanna in the mixed doubles event. Kichenok will now partner Bopanna. Australian Open 2020: Sania Mirza Pulls Out of Mixed Doubles Due to Calf Injury.

Sania returned to action earlier this month after a two-year maternity break and won the Hobart International with Kichenok. While preparing for the Hobart International, Sania had pulled her calf muscle and was feeling the strain since then.

India's Divij Sharan, along with his New Zealand partner Artem Sitak, on Wednesday progressed to the second round of men's doubles event at the Australian Open after win over Pablo Carreno Busta and Joao Sousa. However, Rohan Bopanna and his Japanese Yasutaka Uchiyama were knocked out after losing to American brothers Bob and Mike Bryan.

(The above story first appeared on LatestLY on Jan 23, 2020 12:07 PM IST. For more news and updates on politics, world, sports, entertainment and lifestyle, log on to our website latestly.com).